The Mexican Experience

Front 1

1. 80% of all Latinos live in what two states?

Back 1

California and Texas.

Front 2

2. The Texas revolt.

Back 2

Texas became the focal point of American’s expansionist ambitions. Americans and Europeans settlers view Mexicans as intruders. The Texas revolt 1835 concluded with the defeat of the Mexicans at the battle of San Jacinto (1836).

Front 3

3. The Mexican-American War.

Back 3

Texas became a republic and gained admission into the Union in 1845. This resulted in the declaration of war with Mexico, in May of 1846.

Front 4

4. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

Back 4

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the war between USA and Mexico and gave to the USA what is now, California, New Mexico, Nevada, and parts of Colorado, Arizona, and Utah. Mexico receive in return $15 million and provide all the rights of American Citizens to those Mexicans living in Texas.

Front 5

5. Why was cheap labor needed in the U.S. starting in the 1880’s?

Back 5

with the construction of railroads and the development of the cattle and agricultural industries in the Southwest, Mexicans were considered an ideal source of cheap labor.

Front 6

6. When was the Border Patrol established?

Back 6

1924 Great Depression

Front 7

7. The Repatriation Program.

Back 7

The objective of this program was to encourage Mexicans, many of whom were American citizens, to return voluntary to Mexico. As a result of this program half a million Mexicans, primary from Texas and California.

Front 8

8. The Bracero Program.

Back 8

Allow the importation of Mexican laborers. Labor were needed in the industrial plants, shipyards, bomber factories, automobile and truck assembly lines, weapons factories, and in agricultural production.

Front 9

9. Operation Wetback (155p)

Back 9

The operation was an all out effort to return the wetbacks to Mexico.

Front 10

10. The Sleepy Lagoon Case (155P)

Back 10

was a old gravel pit where Mexican American youth gather during the summer evenings. In 1942 a young man, Jose Diaz, was slain near the gravel pit. The next morning the newspapers sensationalized the story and portrayed the killing as gang related. 17 teenagers were convicted and sent to prison for the murder. This case was important because it highlights the relationship between racial prejudice, racially biased motives of the police, and the conspiracy of the press to sway public opining against Mexican Americans. What followed was a long period of police brutality.

Front 11

11. The Zoot Suit Riots

Back 11

The Zoot Suit (pachucos) were Mexican American youth. The Zoot Suit Riots begin in Los Angeles during the summer of 1943. On evening of June third 200 sailors piled into taxi cabs and arrived in the barrios to teach the Mexicans a lesson. The newspaper portrayed the sailors as heroes and the police ignored the whole incident. Negative image that emerged from this Mexicans as prone to violence and as a social problem in the community. This incident make it difficult for Mexican Americans to receive equal treatment under the law, whether in the courts or on the streets.

Front 12

12. The Mexican-American political participation after WWII.

Back 12

They are participating even though it does not seem like that. Many associations have been form to defend Mexican-Americans.

Front 13

13. The changing Mexican American family.

Back 13

Mexican American woman have always played a central role in the family. Today, chicanas are independent, active in the labor force, and play more significant role in the family. Their overall family size is gradually declining.